The experiences of the development support group DSG in the integrated quality management system IQMS in Butterworth District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/467 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the experiences of the Development Support Group (DGS) when implementing the IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) in Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS in an attempt to determine whether the DSG can cope with the task of being part of evaluation in education, and how the negative experiences could be improved. In order to get the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS, the researcher embarked on this phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and the perusal of the IQMS document, Resolution 8 of 2003. Responses from the participants were tape-recorded and eventually transcribed, analyzed and interpreted. The main feature revealed by the study is gross lack of confidence, feeling of insecurity and ambivalence on the part of the DSG. On the basis of the findings, recommendations that will assist the DSG (and other IQMS implementers) to improve IQMS implementation, have been made. This study also serves as the voice of the DSG for they have also made suggestions to improve on the negative experiences they have highlighted. The conclusions arrived at in this study are specific to the DSG of the sampled schools. The conclusions reflect and explain the challenges faced by the DSG in Butterworth district. But the findings give a reflective explanatory depth to the experiences the DSG when implementing the IQMS.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Experiences by orphaned children as learners at a Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Jackson, David Moses
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006247 , Learning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Orphans -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the schooling experiences of four orphaned learners at Mandini Secondary School in the Maluti District of Education in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology and a phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was adopted and the tape recorded narrative responses of all four respondents, were obtained from the use of in-depth phenomenological unstructured interviews. The respondents were four orphaned children (two males and two females) between the ages of fifteen and twenty years. The study used the Social Rupture Theory as lenses of analysis of the findings. This was considered a very sensitive topic because the respondents had to relate issues which could result in them reliving traumatic experiences. As a result more attention was paid on ethical issues and making the respondents feel comfortable. The respondents were capable of distinguishing between their quality of life while their parents were still alive and well; when they (the parent[s]) became sick and when they eventually died. Furthermore, the respondents highlighted the negative effects of parental absence in their education. In addition, these orphaned children formed relationships with the school community after their parents’ death which, to some extent, had a positive effect on their schooling. Based on these findings the study suggests that educators need to be trained in diagnosing psycho-social problems and given skills to deal with them. Similarly, short courses should be organized for guardians and community development workers in identifying and counseling of problems.
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- Date Issued: 2012
The use of Blackboard as a tool for the teaching and assessment of large classes in mathematics education: a case study of second year level Bachelor of Education students in one university in South Africa
- Authors: Riley, Alanna
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006237 , Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
- Description: This study locates the Blackboard Learning Management System as a Technology Enhanced Learning tool within the bounds of the discipline of eLearning and aimed to interrogate the use of Blackboard for the purposes of teaching, learning and assessment in large classes. It is evident from the literature reviewed that changes in both Higher Education in the South Africa with regards to policy and legislation in addition to international shifts towards increased access and participation in a fast paced, ever-evolving knowledge-based economy, providing the context for this work. The theoretical framework for this study is not unidimensional due to the fact that the educational field of eLearning as an area of specialisation draws on a multitude of theories in terms of their utility value for instructional design of courses utilising Information and Communications Technology as a mode of delivery. This study was conducted within the bounds of an interpretivist paradigm as the researcher sought to focus on the use of Blackboard and the experiences of the lecturers and students involved in the implementation thereof. The research design for this study took the form of a case study and a multiple case method was employed. The researcher collected data through personal interviews conducted with participating lecturers, while student data was collected by means of a qualitative survey which was conducted through the Blackboard Learning Management System. The data was analyzed by means of a thematic analysis, consistent with the interpretive paradigm chosen for this study. The findings of this study revealed that Blackboard was utilised effectively in order to facilitate communication, access to course resources and promoted more efficient assessment processes. The implementation was however not without challenges many of which were systemic and focused on the lack of resources available to the students. The implications of using Blackboard for teaching and assessment of large classes include the use of the Learning Management System as part of a multimodal method of course delivery in an effort to reach the multitude of registered students both conceptually as well as electronically. The recommendations arising from this study include consideration on the part of the faculty for a unified approach in the use of Blackboard for communication as well as deployment of resources. Additionally, this study may form the foundation of further studies in this field, with a focus on the active engagement and training of lecturers in order to integrate traditional teaching methods with blended learning opportunities.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Exploring approaches to teaching reading skills in English at senior phase in secondary schools in Mbizana district in the Eastern Cape: a case study
- Authors: Masilo, Appolonia Nteboheleng
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Reading (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16161 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/204 , Reading (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Description: During the process of this research, the main objective was to explore the approaches that the teachers use to teach reading in English First Additional Language (FAL) in senior phase at General Education and Training (GET). This was due to the observed weak performance of learners in reading, especially in GET phases. To achieve this, 20 participants tha t consisted of 4 English FAL teachers and 16 learners of grades 8 and 9 were selected. The research focused on teacher perceptions and implementation of language teaching approaches. Learners were involved in the research in order to see whether the used approaches give learners a balanced experience of intensive and extensive programmes. The study found that there were a number of factors that contributed to the learners’ weak performance in reading. These included, among others, lack of balance between intensive and extensive reading programmes, with intensive reading getting more attention than extensive reading; lack of reading material in schools, especially for further exposure, pleasure and amusement; little or no exposure of learners to wider reading; inadequate teacher pre-service and inservice reading programmes; teachers’ misconception of extensive reading; learners’ home environment that does not encourage reading; lack of parental support and community involvement. These all affected negatively the learners’ v development of reading skills. The study made some recommendations for the improvement of teacher education programmes and reading resources in schools and communities. schools.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Teacher's and principal's perceptions of the integrated quality management system (IQMS) in three Butterworth District schools
- Authors: Ntshewula, Nombulelo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Total quality management , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School principals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007301 , Total quality management , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School principals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The researcher’s interest in this study is in teachers’ perceptions and principals of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). This study examines teachers’ understandings of this quality management and performance appraisal system, how teachers perceive the instrument used to manage and monitor their performance and the performance of their schools, and what lessons may be learnt regarding the implementation process of the IQMS. The investigation was carried out in three Butterworth District schools in the Eastern Cape. The researcher made use of qualitative methodology to obtain data from a sample of 3 principals, 9 teachers and 1 district official. Data were collected from these respondents by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews and through document analysis. The study found that some of the teachers and principals felt that they did not understand the IQMS, and they complained that the system is fraught with many obstacles that need to be addressed in order to promote the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The participants also spoke of multiple factors that contribute negatively to this phenomenon, which include the fact that the teachers’ workload is increased by the IQMS, time constraints, inadequate training, vague and unfamiliar language, the financial incentive that is attached to the instrument, and the many structures in the implementation process. In addition, the system seems to encourage a bureaucratic style of management. Teachers and principals also suggested ways in which the IQMS could be structured by the Department of Education for greater efficiency in education.
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- Date Issued: 2012
An assessment of the implementation of peer academic support programmes at higher education institutions in South Africa: a case study of one university
- Authors: Tangwe, Magdaline Nji
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Peer teaching -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16203 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016084 , Peer teaching -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of the study was to assess the implementation of peer academic support programmes which are Language and Writing Advancement and Supplemental Instruction programmes in one University in South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative approach that used face-to-face interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis to collect data. Purposive sampling was used to select those who participated in the study. The participants were two coordinators of the programmes, ten facilitators working in the programmes for in-depth interviews and ten students who have been receiving services from the programmes for two focus group discussions. The study revealed that there was a general trend whereby peer facilitators of the programmes were recruited and trained. However, it was found that some facilitators abandoned the position immediately after the training which made it difficult for coordinators and Human Resource Staff (HR) to start the process of recruitment and retraining. In this regard, Teaching and Learning Centre, (TLC) and HR simply appointed other untrained facilitators to replace those who had deserted the positions. Also, some facilitators were unable to attend some of the regular trainings because of clashes with their classes. All these have a negative impact on the implementation of the programmes. The results also reveal that some of the facilitators were frustrated with students’ poor attendance in the sessions, and even those who attended their sessions, did not participate much in the discussions. It was found that most lecturers and students did not know the differences between supplemental instruction (SI) and tutorials. Neither did lecturers encourage their students to seek help from the TLC services. Reviewing of assignments from different disciplines by TLC facilitators was another burning issue that came up. Some facilitators reviewed assignments from different disciplines, because the disciplines were not represented and this is because they want to claim for more hours, which affects the quality of the programmes. The findings also show that some students did not like to take their assignment to the TLC for review because facilitators make unnecessary and harsh comments. On the contrary, some students acknowledged that they were fine with the way facilitators review assignments because it involves one-on-one consultation, and they always pass the assignments reviewed by PASS facilitators. The study also revealed that the coordinators monitored and evaluated facilitators through observation and the checking of attendance registers. Coordinators ware also monitored by senior colleagues of the department such as the manager of the TLC. Furthermore TLC has instituted a mentorship programme whereby senior facilitators mentor newly recruited facilitators. However not every facilitator had a mentor. The study also exposed the fact that the TLC venue was usually closed during examination periods to allow facilitators to prepare for their examinations. The findings show that some departments were not represented by facilitators and to remedy this situation, it is recommended that all departments be represented and lecturers encourage the students to get help from TLC. Most facilitators were undergraduate students, but they needed to be replaced by post graduates who did not have course work that will clash with PASS activities. The strategies used by facilitators were fairly good but more should be done to encourage students to participate in sessions. Finally, the monitoring and support mechanisms put in place were very functional but the TLC should make sure every facilitator is being monitored especially concerning the review of assignments. The significance of the findings of this study cannot be overemphasised. The strengths and challenges regarding the implementation of these programmes at this particular university have been revealed. Through the recommendations, it is hoped that the institution and the TLC would effect some changes in the implementation of these peer academic support programmes in order to better serve the students so as to achieve satisfactory throughput and retention rates.
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- Date Issued: 2013
The role of the peer educators in enhancing social and emotional learning: a case of foursecondary schools in Fort Beaufort district
- Authors: Nyarayi Chinyama
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions , Peer teaching -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa- - Eastern Cape , Learning, Psychology of , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16193 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006257 , Schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions , Peer teaching -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa- - Eastern Cape , Learning, Psychology of , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore how peer education is enhancing social-emotional learning in four secondary schools in Fort Beaufort Education District. An empirical investigation using the qualitative approach examined the situation of the peer education clubs at the four schools. Data was gathered using interviews, focus groups, observations and document analysis. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of peer education programmes in enhancing social and emotional learning in schools. In this research study specifically the qualitative research approach was used. The study also adopted a purposive sampling procedure which is acceptable for special sampling situations where the researcher applied her own experience to select cases which form part of the participants. Four schools were selected, four principals, four teachers who work with peer education clubs, four focus groups, one HIV/AIDS district coordinator, and one peer group trainer. It emerged from the analysis of the collected data that peer education clubs in Fort Beaufort have a number of challenges facing them, resulting in them making insignificant contributions towards the enhancing of social-emotional learning. The clubs’ efforts have resulted in little positive behavioural change among the youth. Among the challenges revealed are: lack of proper structures and support from school administrators, poor selection of peer educators, lack of time and facilities in which to carry out their work, lack of adequate training for both teachers and peer educators. Teacher interference was also cited regularly at all four schools, thereby defeating the whole idea of peer education. The study also revealed that peer educators in Fort Beaufort are not receiving adequate support from other stakeholders like, the police, the justice department and social welfare. Another critical observation made during the study was that peer education clubs are lacking clear standards of practice, rigour and sustainability, all which should be addressed in order to enhance social-emotional learning in schools. Data was analysed using a thematic content analysis. The analysis was carried out in a manner that related to the research questions and objectives in the study. A transcript was made from the respondents’ answers. Reflection and coding was done and data was categorised as an important learning tool in schools, and to recognise its contribution to social emotional learning. The study concluded that peer education clubs in schools, despite their huge potential to improve both behaviour and academic results, are not being given a conducive environment to operate in or the necessary support. This effectively means that learners with some behavioural problems and who have the potential to reform are also being denied the opportunity to lead better lives. The Department is advised to increase the number of both peer education trainers and trained peer educators. Furthermore the training period of peer educators should be increased from the current five days. There is need for the Department of Education to formalise peer education clubs in schools and craft laws that makes it mandatory for schools to provide the clubs with decent facilities like confidential rooms to conduct their activities. More so the study recommends that there is need to train all teachers in schools in social skills and not only LO teachers to ease supervisory burden on the LO teachers.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Educator perceptions of the impact of the departmental matric intervention strategies on selected under-performing schools in the Queenstown district
- Authors: Mrali, Amos Mzoxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006232 , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Examinations , Academic achievement -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School crisis management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The problem of school under-performance as defined by the level of pass rates of learners in the matric examinations has been a point of educational debate in South Africa for a number of years, especially after the attainment of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, Matric Intervention Strategies (MIS) have been used to address the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate educator perceptions of the impact of the MIS on selected under-performing high schools in the Queenstown District.Two case study schools classified as consistent under-performers participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of key educators in these schools. There were five main findings. First, educators felt that Departmental intervention strategies had not made any significant improvement in addressing underperformance in the two case study schools. Second, participants saw underperformance by schools as caused by a myriad of factors which include those related to leadership and management at school and district levels and educator and learner factors, as well as teacher union interference. They did not see MIS as being able to address the causes simultaneously. Third, the implementation of the (MIS) at school level was poorly monitored by the Departmental officials. It was reported that under-performing schools were hardly visited and supported by the subject advisors and (MIO)s. Fourth, educators perceived the role of subject advisors to be limited to CASS moderation as they did not provide any developmental support to educators experiencing content gaps. Finally, educators saw the MIS as a money making scheme for certain educators and district officials. They claimed this was linked to corrupt practices during the appointment of tutors. The teachers did not have confidence in the appointment procedures used by the district for tutors.It can be concluded that the Matric Intervention Strategies in the two schools arenot likely to achieve the intended results as long as educators do not think thatthe strategies are addressing the problems they face. Another conclusion is that the Matric Intervention Strategies are seen as ‘quick fix’ responses to what arereally deep-seated and systemic problems in education. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that the impact of Matric Intervention Strategies be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn that can generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. For the delivery of the MIS it is recommended that the weaknesses identified by educators of the two schools be further investigated so that new implementation plans can be developed.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Teaching strategies to improve the writing skills for grade and 9 learners in English first additional language: a case study of Forth High School in the Cradock Education district
- Authors: Kalipha, Zimkhitha
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Teaching strategies -- writing skills , Writing skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017297 , Teaching strategies -- writing skills , Writing skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Description: Writing skills is are an essential requirement to lifelong learner success yet the way teachers teach and provide feedback to their learners on writing is quite challenging. This study sought to explore the teaching strategies to improve writing skills as an essential requirement for effective learning in schools for grade 8 and 9 learners in English First Additional Language. For people living in the townships and rural areas in South Africa, exposure to English is limited, because the majority of people communicate with each other in local languages. With teachers and learners residing in the townships where communication occurs mostly in isiXhosa, problems in language proficiency, in particular writing in English First Additional Language, are often encountered not only by the learners, but by educators as well. This was a case study of four high schools in the Cradock Education District. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants in the four schools. There were eight main findings, which are as follows: Lack of support for teachers, lack of a culture of learning amongst learners, and lack of competence in English for both learners and parents, which need to be addressed; and strategies proposed to improve writing skills are: the importance of creative writing; regular feedback and the importance of drafts.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Teacher's views on the implementation of HIV/AIDS policies in schools: a case study of four high schools in Fort Beaufort Education District
- Authors: Koza, Rebecca
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2105 , vital:27610
- Description: HIV/AIDS is reducing the hard-won returns on investment in education in South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The use of English and isiXhosa in teaching and learning Physical Sciences in four schools in King Williams Town education district of the Eastern Cape: a case study
- Authors: Sibanda, Busani
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019733
- Description: The present study investigates the use of English and isiXhosa in teaching and learning Physical Sciences in four King Williams Town schools. Physical Sciences educators and Grade 11 Physical Sciences learners were interviewed to find out about their perceptions with regard to the language(s) used in the learning and teaching of the subject Physical Sciences. The same educators and learners were also observed to find out their actual language practices in class. The findings revealed that English was the preferred medium of instruction in the learning and teaching of Physical Sciences, even though the majority of learners had low proficiency in English. Both teachers and learners extensively use code-switching to bridge this language gap in order to improve the learning of content. The choice to use isiXhosa to bridge the English second language barrier was influenced by the language profile of the learners. However, even in lessons in which teachers used code-switching, the participation of learners in class discussions was very low because the delivery of the lessons was still teacher-centred. The National Department of Education assessment policy seems to limit schools toward adopting English as the LoLT even though learners in these schools were isiXhosa first language speakers. The fact that all assessment are done in English leads to school adopting English on LoLT. Schools adopted the English only policy as way of promoting learners’ learning and understanding of English, so that the learners are not disadvantaged by the English language factor when writing examinations.
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- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation into the social experiences of dropouts following their reenrollment in secondary schools in Stutterheim district: implications for school leadership
- Authors: Smith, Elizabeth Marrie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: High school dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16165 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000031 , High school dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Many secondary schools in the Eastern Cape and else where in South African are facing a drop out crisis but a proportion of these dropouts return to school to complete their education. The kind of social experiences that dropouts have as they reenrol and reintegrate in school remains an under-research aspect in the discourse on education access. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that prompted dropouts to reenrol in school and the social life experiences of these learners in school. It was also to explore school leaders‟ reactions towards these experiences, and the implications for school leadership of the dropouts‟ experiences. Using qualitative methodologies, involving a sample of 15 dropouts and two school leaders, the study found multiple motives, associated with individual characteristics of dropouts and the institutional characteristics of their family and the labour market, prompting reenrolment. Institutional characteristics at the school level were not featured. Regarding social life at school, it found that while some participants had positive social experiences, which reinforced their motivation to pursue their education, others experienced the school context as socially hostile. The nature of the social hostility is described, but school leaders seem insensitive to many of the social integration challenges that confront dropouts. Several implications for school leadership have been drawn out, including the view that while there are a variety of leverage points for addressing the social hostility problems, the social development of dropouts who experienced hostility stand to wither if supportive measures are not implemented to help them reintegrate. While the research provides new insights into the experiences of dropouts in school, it had the limitation of being a case study whose findings cannot be generalised.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) intergrated teaching and learning in textiles and clothing programmes at one University of Science and Techology in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chipo, Dzikite
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe Internet in education -- Zimbabwe Teaching -- Zimbabwe -- Aids and devices Education, Higher -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2127 , vital:27612
- Description: Textiles and Clothing programmes in universities worldwide experience numerous challenges in effectively implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning. The aim of this study was to explore how ICT integrated teaching and learning was implemented in Textiles and Clothing programmes at one university of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, with a view to developing a suitable model to enhance effective implementation. The study was informed by the Activity theory and triangulated by the Technological pedagogical content knowledge framework (TPACK) and the Functionality framework. The study made use of the interpretive research paradigm, the qualitative approach and intrinsic case study design, to generate the necessary data. The participants of the study were purposively and quota sampled from the Textiles and Clothing department of the selected university of Science and Technology, and consisted of seven lecturers, three administrators, two ICT technicians and thirty-two students. Four methods were used to generate data namely in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. After coding, data were analysed for content using thematic analysis. The study established that there were no specific ICT hardware and software packages acquired by the universityfor the Textiles and Clothing programmes. Instead, general design related softwares such as CorelDraw, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Mac Paints were used to support the implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning. The findings of the study further revealed that lecturers lacked thorough technological pedagogical knowledge to apply a variety of ICT in the teaching and learning of students. The study established that there was lack of an effective mechanism for providing monitoring and evaluation as the peer review and evaluation mechanism that was used in the Textiles and Clothing programmes did not identify the specific indicators for the implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning. Among the conclusions emanating from the findings were that the Textiles and Clothing programmes suffered serious shortage of suitable ICT hardware and subject-specific ICT software applications to facilitate the teaching of practical components thereby compromising the effective implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning to foster effective skill acquisition in relation to ICT among students. It was also concluded that lecturers were finding difficulties in implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning as they lacked thorough technological-pedagogical-content knowledge and skills that would enable them to select appropriate technological resources and technological pedagogical strategies to teach students appropriate content. The study recommended that the Textiles and Clothing department, through the support of the university, should acquire subject related educational hardware and software like Gerber or Lectra to teach the practical courses of the programmes. The university should organise professional development programmes focussing on TPACK to assist lecturers to develop competences in ICT necessary for implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning. A model was proposed to enhance the effective implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning into the Textiles and Clothing programmes at the University.
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- Date Issued: 2016
An investigation of teacher participation in decision -making, curriculum and management issues: a case study of four secondary schools in the Fort Beaufort District, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Latsha, Xolisa Noluvo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teacher participation in administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1851 , vital:27567
- Description: The birth of democracy in 1994 in South Africa moved away from the authoritarian leadership style of the Apartheid era to a democratic style where accountability , democracy, transformational and distributed leadership style was encouraged at school. Leadership was not deemed to be the duty of the principal alone but leadership is shared among all the stakeholders at school. The above assertion prompted the researcher to engage in this study whose purpose was to investigate the extent of teacher participation in decision making in curriculum and management issues at schools. The study sought to assess:(i)To identify the categories of teachers who participated in decision making at school level (ii) To find out the areas in which teachers are involved in decision making at school (iii) To identify the strategies used by principals/ school management in involving the teachers in decision making (iv) To find out the views of principals and teachers regarding their involvement regarding their participation in decision making in curriculum and management issues. To achieve these objectives the researcher opted for the qualitative approach which is embedded in the interpretivist paradigm. The qualitative approach typically studies people by interacting and observing the participants in their natural setting and focusing on their meanings and interpretations. This methodology was relevant because it produced the desired results and gathered information directly from the respondents through interviews, observation, and document analysis. This methodology assisted the researcher to find out the extent of teacher participation in decision making. The data revealed that all teachers are expected to be involved in decision making but that depends on the nature of the issue. The study revealed that all teachers were involved in decisions concerning disciplinary, curriculum, sport as major school activities but some teachers were not involved in financial matters. The data also found out that male teachers feel that there is imbalance of contribution in staff meetings since female teachers are more than male teachers. Furthermore , the study showed that school principals used various strategies to involve teachers in decision making such as consultation on individual basis, group or at committee level. The study also revealed that the principals and teachers felt that when they work together as the school community all organizational goals and objectives will be achieved and owned by all teachers. Teachers also viewed non involvement as what resulted in the negative impact of the activities including high teacher absenteeism and demotivation.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Teachers’ perceptions of the mentoring of novice teachers in the King William’s Town District
- Authors: Dlani, Siyongwana Archibald
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentoring in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , King William's Town (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006244 , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentoring in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , King William's Town (South Africa)
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the teachers‟ perceptions of thementoring of novice teachers in the King William‟s Town District. Inorder to understand how the teachers viewed novice teacher mentoringthe study adopted a qualitative approach. Interviews anddocumentsanalysis were used as data collection instruments. The purpose of the study was to investigate the teachers‟ perceptions on mentoring of novice teachers in schools. The respondents provided their explanationsof mentoring and also said what they think is the importance of mentoring. The teachers also had to give their mentoring experiences at school and District levels. Two schools in the King William‟s Town District were purposivelyselected to form the context of the study. The respondents were 6 educators, three from a primary school and three from a high school. Principals of the two selected schools were also included asrespondents in the study. The results of the study revealed that mentoring was taking place informally in the schools through sharing ofthe teaching challenges. Mentoring was also taking place through theteachers mentoring each other as Subject and Phase teachers supervised by Heads of Department. Most teachers understoodmentoring as giving guidance and help.
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- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation into the formative assessment practices of teachers in selected Fort Beaufort schools: a case study in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kuze, Mongezi William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System -- South Africa - -Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/226 , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System -- South Africa - -Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has, since 1994 undergone significant political, social and economic changes and all these changes have had an effect in most of the governmental departments. One department adversely affected in particular, is the Department of Education (DoE). The implementation of a large number of educational policies being developed at national and provincial levels to bring about radical changes, leave much to desire. That has led the researcher to be investigating Teachers’ Formative Assessment Practices in Grade 9 Technology classrooms of selected schools in the Fort Beaufort District of Education. The DoE had explored ways to better educate learners and to improve the entire school performance, hence the introduction of the new methods of assessment, to quote but one, assessment policy No. 19640 of 1998. The new assessment policy in the GET Band is a means of assessing learners in order to enhance individual growth and development; to monitor the progress of learners; and to facilitate their learning. This policy states that assessment and feedback are integral to the teaching and learning process and policy planners and practitioners must be adequately prepared to implement these policies. Assessment is the most powerful lever educators use to influence the way learners respond to teaching and behave as learners. It is crucial that appropriate and effective methods of assessment are employed to ensure effective learning. Therefore, the study examined, within the interpretive paradigm and taking a constructivist approach, experiences and concerns raised by participants concerning the implementation of formative assessment in the case. In order to investigate teachers’ perceptions and the implementation of formative assessment practices, in relation to emerging educational policies, one Grade 9 learning area – Technology - in five schools were purposefully sampled. Data from the participants were mainly collected employing qualitative methods, being in-depth interviews, observations and document studies. The main findings of the study were that participants’ (School Management Team members, teachers and learners) perceptions were not quite clear pertaining to what formative assessment is all about. They did not know how to implement it in their classes and as a result had a negative impact on them. This led to recommending that these practitioners must adequately and rigorously be re-trained in implementing the policy. The DoE ought to outsource such trainings to tertiary institution for certification purposes. In future, the DoE should, before implementing any policy, make sure facilitators know the policy, are adequately and thoroughly trained and skilled before embarking on any further training of policy practitioners.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Educators’ perceptions of foundation phase mathematics Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS)
- Authors: Mnqatu, Fiola Wayne
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1358 , vital:26549 , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Study and teaching --South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the educators’ perceptions of the Foundation Phase Mathematics Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS). This was a case study of eight educators in two primary schools based in Cradock in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. There were six main findings. First, all participants displayed a good general knowledge of CAPS. They saw CAPS as different from NCS in that the former is content driven as opposed to outcomes driven in the latter. Second, all participants were happy that CAPS specifies what is to be taught grade by grade as opposed to NCS which specified outcomes and required educators to construct the content. Third, a feature which participants liked was the weighting of different components of the subjects taught. This was seen as an important guideline that indicates how much time should be spent on each component. Fourth, participants understood that CAPS is not a new curriculum; it is an amendment of the NCS. As such educators used the same teaching strategies and methods. Fifth, participants had reservations about the CAPS assessment guidelines as they were the same as those of the NCS and felt that the guidelines which require educators to discuss assessment criteria with children were not suitable for children in Foundation Phase. Sixth, participants were happy with the CAPS programme of assessment and workbooks .They felt the programme guides their teaching while the workbooks complement their teaching. It can be concluded that educators, on the whole, held positive perceptions about CAPS. They saw it as explicit about the content that is to be taught, and it has clear guidelines about assessment procedures. For this reason it can be seen as an improvement on the NCS. Given the findings, it can be recommended that further research be carried out on how educators’ understanding of CAPS is translated into practical teaching and learning in the classroom. To improve the delivery of CAPS, the Education Department must devise strategies aimed at educator empowerment activities that will enhance their work performance.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The implementation of inclusion policy for learners with special education needs: a case study of four primary schools in the Grahamstown District
- Authors: Shadaya, Girlie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Grahamstown (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006239 , Education and state -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Special education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Grahamstown (South Africa)
- Description: Inclusion is successful when all stakeholders in the education system accept the challenge to work together and to do their fair share of educating all children. Although the teacher has been placed at the heart of the system as a key person in shaping inclusion, the district office (Department of Education), schools, teachers and parents must engage in collaborative team-driven decision making that is focused on interventions designed to enhance social outcomes for learners. The aim of this study was to assess the implementation of the inclusion policy for learners with special education needs. This study made use a mixed method research approach which engaged both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. A total of twenty primary school teachers filled a questionnaire that had three parts: (i) Teacher demographics, (ii) Instructional modifications and (iii) Teaching strategies. Interviews, documents and observations were also used to collect data. Data was analysed by statistical and non-statistical procedures. Results showed that the inclusion policy is being implemented in schools. However, there are challenges that are being faced. For one, teachers have not received adequate training with regards to inclusive education. Staff development workshops to try and address this challenge are minimal, there is not enough collaboration being demonstrated by the different stakeholders with regards to support and monitoring the implementation process. The study recommends that all teachers and other personnel in the school receive adequate training. Also, the need for support must be met. Further studies could consider attitudes to inclusive education and the relationship between learner success and teacher preparedness in inclusive educational models.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Accessing learner support services in a distance education context at UNISA Adult Basic Education Department
- Authors: Arko-Achemfuor, Akwasi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Distance education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Educational innovations -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16199 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013382 , Distance education -- South Africa , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Adult education -- South Africa , Educational innovations -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigated the access to learner support services by Unisa‟s ABET students in the Department of Adult Education in one of the rural provinces in South Africa. Specifically, a survey using questionnaire and focus group interview was carried out to determine the access gaps in to the learner support services by Unisa‟s adult students. A literature study preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the role of learner support in bridging the transactional distance between students on the one hand and the institution on the other hand. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 150 ABET Students in one province in South Africa through the stratified sampling technique and one focus group interview comprising 10 students who access support services at one of the regional offices to assess the importance they attach to the support services that are offered at the regional centres and the extent to which they are able to access them. The focus group interview comprised questions on the students‟ understanding of learner support services and their experiences in accessing them. Moore‟s theory of transactional distance was used as the theoretical base for the study. Out of a total of the 150 questionnaires that were distributed, 117 were the usable representing 78.0% response rate. One of the conclusions drawn from this study is that, although Unisa has most of the learner support services in place but for various reasons, a lot of the students are not able to access the support services as expected as the needs gap for almost all the support services were high. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p is less than 0.05) between the students on the extent to which they are able to access the support services. An integrated learner support framework was suggested for Unisa and other distance providing institutions to address the access gaps adult students‟ encounter in their studies.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Educators' experiences with the implementation of Grade 11 NCS English first additional language in selected schools in the Fort Beaufort Education District
- Authors: Besman, Shirley
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006251 , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fort Beaufort (South Africa)
- Description: One of the essential sectors that needed a drastic change in the post apartheid era in South Africa, was the education system or policy of the country. The government had a responsibility of combining together the nineteen different Departments of Education into which the schools were fragmented. It is in the interest of the country that, out of the eleven official languages of the country, learners should at least be fluent in two languages namely, the learner‟s mother language and any official language which will be treated as an additional language, thus, promoting additive bilingualism. This is on line with the country‟s constitution which has granted equal status to the eleven languages. That resulted in the formulation of two very imperative policies pertaining to schools; 1) The South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996 which repeal all discriminatory policies of apartheid. On the issue of language the SASA placed the responsibility of choosing the school subjects to the School Governing Bodies (SGB) and 2) The Language-in- Education Policy (LiEP) of 1997 which is based on the recognition that South Africa is multilingual, and promotes learning of more than one official language. In an attempt to accomplish the constitutional obligation, and establish uniformity or equality in education, Curriculum 2005 which was later revised and known as the Revised National Statement and later revised and known as the NATIONAL Curriculum Statement, with the Outcomes Based Education as its approach, was introduced. The study investigated the experiences of educators with the implementation of NCS EFAL in Grade 11 in the Fort Beaufort Education District. English First Additional Language is used by the majority of schools as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT). The study is located in the interpretive paradigm which sought to explore people‟s experiences and their views. Qualitative research approach was adopted in the study with the intentions of finding as much detail as possible on the experiences of educators with the implementation of NCS EFAL in the Grade 11 classrooms. Six EFAL educators in the Fort Beaufort Education District in the Nkonkobe Municipality were purposely selected for the study. Semi structured interviews consisting of precisely defined questions that were pre-prepared, yet at the same time permitted the EFAL educators to answer beyond what the researcher enquired, were also employed in the study. The results pointed out that all EFAL educators interviewed were qualified teachers and had specialized in English teaching. In addition, the study revealed that in the Fort Beaufort Education District, there were two categories of EFAL educators who were trained for the implementation of NCS EFAL; those who only received one week departmental workshop and those who on top of the one week departmental workshop, received a two year training in Advanced Certificate In Education (ACE) English Language Teaching (ELT) from a Higher Education. The dissimilarity between the two groups manifested in their respective schools between the educators and their Heads of Departments (HOD) who happen to have little knowledge of the implementation of the curriculum. It became evident that the group of educators who were trained in ACE ELT were more familiar with the requirements of the NCS EFAL. The other group which was not conversant with the NCS EFAL policies decided to maintain their old teaching methods. Key recommendations of the study: Policy makers should clarify terminology to be understood by all educators, the Department of Education should take full responsibility of retraining educators to ensure uniformity in training through the in-service trainings yearly.
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- Date Issued: 2012